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A week after falsely blaming hunt saboteurs for the death of one of their hounds, the attached video shows the Cotswold Vale Farmers Hunt casually risking the lives of their hounds. They were filmed throughout the day hunting on main roads, causing traffic chaos and at least two cars were forced to make emergency stops to avoid killing hounds. When the saboteurs voiced their concerns about how dangerous it was they were met with physical and verbal abuse.

Lee Moon, spokesperson for the Hunt saboteurs Association, stated:

"It was very convenient for the hunt that saboteurs were present last week as it gave them an easy scapegoat for the death of their hound. This video shows conclusively that the hunts don't care for any animal, even their hounds, and are happy to put their lives at risk, and cause chaos, in the name of sport."

HSA news release 15th February 2011

Six years since the ban and nothing's changed

Last Tuesday, the 15th feb, members of Guildford Hunt saboteurs witnessed riders with the Surrey Union Hunt blatantly encourage the chasing of a fox.

The hunt met at littleton manor farm, reigate and were watched throughout the day for evidence of illegal hunting. Their hounds were repeatedly seen hunting as before the ban and there was no evidence of an artificial trail to suggest they were hunting within the law.

The main accusation of illegal hunting happened at about 3.30pm at parkgate copse, parkgate. Two members of the anti-hunt group saw a fox right in front of them with six hounds chasing it. Two riders were vocally encouraging the hounds to catch the fox. when they realised they were being watched, the riders panicked, and stopped their hounds chasing the fox. This incident was filmed and the footage has now been passed to the police.

Lee Moon, spokesperson for the Hunt saboteurs Association, stated: "Almost exactly six years to the day after the Hunting Act came into force, hunts are still chasing and killing British wildlife. Hunts must accept this is the law of the land and the police should be monitoring and prosecuting hunts that break the law."

HSA news release 6th February 2011

Sussex's finest in action on behalf of their masters...

On Saturday 5th Feb Hunt Saboteurs attended a meet of the Crawley and Horsham Fox Hunt At Wiston, near Ashington, West Sussex. This hunt is under police investigation after being caught on film after killing a fox.

The saboteurs were the subject of the usual threats and attacks by the hunt followers during the day, which included driving vehicles and horse at speed at people, and one attempt to break a vehicles window to attack the driver, which was caught on video and is now the subject of a police investigation.

At around 2.30 the hunt was found with the huntsman on foot encouraging the hounds onto a fox, in clear breach of the Hunting Act. Saboteurs intervened in the field leaving a small number filming the events from the road. Those left on the road were the subject of attacks by officials of the hunt and foot followers, culminating in a vicious attack on one Hunt Saboteur by a mounted rider and four hunt supporters, who was hit repeatedly around the head and a horse was ridden into him. The police in attendance responded by pepper spraying all involved in the fray regardless of guilt or innocence.

Video footage was seized by police from both parties and an investigation is underway.

Lee Moon, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association said: Hunts feel they can break the law with impunity and when we try to intervene we are violently attacked. The Crawley and Horsham hunt are already being investigated for killing a fox and it is time the police stepped in and stopped this blatant law breaking rather than us having to do their job for them.

HSA news release 1st November 2010

There's no-one else, Just Us...

November 1st, official start of the hunting season, the day the pro-hunt brigade confidently predicted they would again be hunting legally after the Lib-Con victory in the general election. Now is their turn to feel betrayed and let down, as we were by years of the Labour party failing to tighten up and enforce the 2004 Hunting Act.

We know we cannot expect any help from the pro-hunt Conservative Party but at least now we know where we stand. For years we looked to the politicians and the police for help to stop the hunters. Now we know we are on our own and the only people who can save the British Wildlife from a cruel and pointless death are the brave individuals who put themselves between the hunters and their quarry.

1st November is traditionally the start of the hunting season proper, although hunts have been out terrorising foxes, hare and deer for several months now - engaging in “cubbing” or “autumn hunting” as the hunts like to refer to the early morning or late afternoon hunting used to train new hounds how to hunt as a pack and kill.

Hunt saboteurs on the ground continue to see hunts openly breaking the law and reacting violently towards those who try and stop them. The Police and criminal justice bodies should be ensuring that those breaking the law are being brought to book, but do not appear to be interested.

Lee Moon, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association stated: “We have learned a hard lesson that the politicians and police are not interested in protecting British Wildlife. It is up to ordinary people, and groups such as the Hunt saboteurs, to get out in the countryside and directly intervene to save the innocent creatures who are killed in the name of sport. Surveys consistently show that the majority of people in this country are opposed to hunting. It is time to put this into practice and mobilize to stop the cruel minority and their barbaric, out-dated pastime”

HSA news release 16th October 2010

Do you want these people in your neighbourhood?

On Sat 16th October 2010 members of the South West hunt saboteurs were out monitoring the Chilmark and Clifton Foot beagle hunt at Emborough, near Midsomer Norton, Somerset. They were present at the hunt to monitor for evidence of illegal hunting and to present any such evidence to the police.

Whilst standing on a public footpath watching the hunt, the group of eight anti-hunt protesters, made up of men and women, were approached by five vehicles whose number plates had been obscured with mud. Approximately a dozen men jumped out of the vehicles and proceeded to attack the hunt saboteurs shouting “get the cameras”. People were punched in the face and one man had his leg repeatedly stamped on. The attackers did not stop until they had stolen 3 video cameras and one digital camera. Members of the anti-hunt group were left severely battered and shocked by this un-provoked and brutal attack and robbery. The incident has been reported to the police who are currently making enquiries.

The Chilmark and Clifton foot beagles are closely linked with the Mendip Farmers Foxhunt (MFFH) and several of the attackers were wearing Mendip Farmers FH rugby shirts. Whilst there is no suggestion that the Mendip Farmers officially sanctioned this attack it seems certain that some of their supporters were involved. For several years the MFFH have been involved in a high profile battle with local residents to move to new Kennels at Chewton Mendip in Somerset. The local residents do not want them as they feel they will bring increased traffic, noise and disruption to the community but despite vociferous local protests the hunt seem determined to go ahead, painting themselves as an upright, integral part of the local community.

Is todays attack the true face of the Mendip Farmers Foxhunt?

Lee Moon, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association stated: “We are sick and tired of seeing hunts trying to portray themselves as part of the tradition and fabric of this country. If our traditions include violence, intimidation and robbery then perhaps they are. It is time the police showed these people that the Countryside is not their own private playground and prosecute them for the crimes they commit against animals and people. Would you want these violent thugs moving into your community?”